2001 SATURN SL — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
137
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
4
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2001 SATURN SL
The 2001 SATURN SL has received a total of 137 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH. 4 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Trainautomatic Transmission (14 complaints), Electrical System (10 complaints), and Air Bagsfrontal (7 complaints).
Recalls for the 2001 SATURN SL
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2001 SATURN SL, potentially affecting up to 87,362 vehicles.
Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
View full details →Recall 00V309000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
| 6,092 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE VENT VALVE WELD ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.
Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE COULD OCCUR DURING REFUELING OR IF THE VEHICLE WERE INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ENSURE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE IS PROPERLY WELDED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.
View full details →Recall 00V310000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
| 65,000 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY. IF IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED, IT IS POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.
Remedy: SATURN IS ASKING OWNERS AND RETAILERS TO PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY OPERATION, AND IF NECESSARY, TO HAVE THE CABLE ADJUSTED. IF OWNERS ARE NOT COMFORTABLE PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONAL CHECK THEMSELVES, THEY CAN...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2001 SATURN SL
137 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 SATURN SL. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
The problem is with the Firestone Tempa Spare T115/70 R14 spare tire. This tire came with the car when new, and has never been used. Tire date of manufacture is 42 2000. I periodically check its air pressure, but it has never been out of the spare tire well. I checked the pressure 1 week ago, and found a large bulge in the tread, along with broken cords, both steel, and polyester (see photos). The inner tire liner has not ruptured, and the tire still holds air. One month ago I checked the pressure, and it looked completely normal. If I had a flat tire then, I would have put it on the car without hesitation. I suspect that it would have failed on the road leading to a possible disaster. My reason for alerting NHTSA is that I suspect there are many compact spare tires in people's trunks, in the same condition, just waiting to cause trouble. I brought it to a Firestone store and they showed no interest in it. I have removed the tire from the steel wheel, and you are welcome to have it to inspect. I live about 25 miles south of Chicago, IL. When you look at the attached photos, numbers 1-3 show the tire on the steel wheel with the tire inflated, number 4 shows the tire deflated, and off the wheel.
I HAVE SOO MUCH PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR
I HAVE SOO MUCH PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR
MY SATURN THAT I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF NOW, COMPLETELY CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF ME DRIVING IT. LUCKILY I WAS AT A DRIVE THEY SO SO SERIOUS DAMAGE TO ME OR ANYONE ELSE. COULD NOT GET IT TO START BACK UP FOR A GOOD 5-10 MINS. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT IN IT AND I'M CONSTANTLY HAVING TO ADD FLUID SO IT DOESNT SKIP. THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS KEEP HAVING TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY KEEP BLOWING OUT.
Safety Rating for the 2001 SATURN SL
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2001 SATURN SL in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2001 SATURN SL
General Motors, LLC has issued 4 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2001 SATURN SL. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
99-01-37-009C — EQUIPMENT
This service bulletin revision provides a repair procedure to Remove Debris from Evaporator Case, Disinfect evaporator or Apply Cooling coil coating and install blower motor control module to correct a customer concern of A/C Odor at start-up.
99-01-37-009C — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
This service bulletin revision provides a repair procedure to Remove Debris from Evaporator Case, Disinfect evaporator or Apply Cooling coil coating and install blower motor control module to correct a customer concern of A/C Odor at start-up.
99-01-37-009C — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This service bulletin revision provides a repair procedure to Remove Debris from Evaporator Case, Disinfect evaporator or Apply Cooling coil coating and install blower motor control module to correct a customer concern of A/C Odor at start-up.
00T48 — SEATS
SUBJECT REGARDING SQUEAKING NOISE FROM DRIVER OR PASSENGER SEAT BACK. *JG
NHTSA Investigations for the 2001 SATURN SL
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the SATURN SL
- 1996 SATURN SL — 369 complaints
- 1997 SATURN SL — 286 complaints
- 1998 SATURN SL — 222 complaints
- 1999 SATURN SL — 232 complaints
- 2000 SATURN SL — 202 complaints
- 2001 SATURN SL (current)
- 2002 SATURN SL — 154 complaints
Other SATURN Models
- SATURN ION — 5,467 total complaints
- SATURN VUE — 3,269 total complaints
- SATURN AURA — 2,222 total complaints
- SATURN OUTLOOK — 1,939 total complaints
- SATURN LS — 1,885 total complaints
- SATURN SKY — 623 total complaints
- SATURN SC1 — 554 total complaints
- SATURN SC — 379 total complaints